GREAT BEND - A man serving two life sentences for two deadly liquor store robberies in 1982 is up for parole next month.

Thursday

Nov 13, 2008 at 12:01 AMNov 13, 2008 at 5:00 PM

Jon Ruhlen - The Hutchinson News - jruhlen@hutchnews.com

Robin Lee Branson, 51, was convicted of killing Margaret A. Krom and Sarah Wittig in robberies less than a week apart in January 1982. The killings prompted liquor store owners in Great Bend to close early and hire security, according to news reports at the time.

The case went cold for some time, but in 1984, Branson was recorded by an undercover Kansas Bureau of Investigation agent describing the murders. After pleading guilty to two counts of first-degree murder, Branson was sentenced to two concurrent sentences of 15 years to life.

Great Bend Police detective Lt. David Bailey was in the department at the time and was one of the investigators. Bailey recalled that the department was busy working several high-profile cases at the time, and after initially recovering a firearm used in the first murder, the case stalled.

Police initially thought they had a suspect when a drifter from Texas admitted to the killings, but authorities released the man when they determined he had been in jail in another state at the time.

Months later, Bailey attempted to contact Branson in connection with another case.

"We feel that's what spooked him, because the next thing we know he's trying to get out of this area," Bailey said.

A KBI agent, posing as a carnival owner, taped a conversation in which Branson described the murders. Police arrested him nearly two years to the day after the second murder, and he pleaded guilty in May 1984.

In an interview from his jail cell with The Hutchinson News after his guilty plea, Branson said he was so strung out on drugs at the time of the conversation that later, when he listened to the tapes, he was surprised and scared by what he had said.

However, he stopped short of admitting his guilt and said he decided to plead because the tapes were so inflammatory he didn't feel he could get a fair trial - especially after a judge denied a motion for a change of venue.

During his sentencing, Branson told District Judge Barry Bennington that he would use his time in prison to help prevent drug addiction.

"I'm going to do all I can to prove that I've earned my parole, and become a productive member of society," Branson said.

According to his Kansas Department of Corrections disciplinary action report, Bransom has been cited for nine violations since 1996, including the use of stimulants and an incitement to riot.

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Public invited to comment

Public comment sessions will be held later this month, and Robin Lee Branson's parole hearing will be in December to determine his eligibility for parole in January 2009.

Anyone who would like to express comments on an inmate, but is unable to attend one of the public comment sessions, may send a letter to: Kansas Parole Board, Landon State Office Building, 900 SW Jackson St., Room 452 S, Topeka, KS 6612-1220.

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